easyMultiple ChoiceObjective-mapped
DP-203 ADF on-premises connection component Practice Question
You are implementing a data pipeline using Azure Data Factory. The source is an on-premises SQL Server database. Which Azure Data Factory component is required to connect to the on-premises data source?
⚠ Common exam trap
Watch out — candidates often confuse the Self-hosted Integration Runtime with the Azure Integration Runtime, not realizing that only the self-hosted variant can bridge on-premises and cloud networks, while the Azure IR is restricted to cloud-to-cloud scenarios.
Answer choices
Why each option matters
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
Self-hosted Integration Runtime
A self-hosted integration runtime (IR) is required to connect Azure Data Factory to on-premises SQL Server because it provides the compute environment for data movement between on-premises networks and Azure. It must be installed on a machine inside the corporate firewall, enabling secure communication via outbound HTTPS (port 443) to Azure. This is the only IR type that can access private, on-premises data sources directly.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
Azure Integration Runtime
Why it's wrong here
Azure IR runs in the cloud and cannot access on-premises networks directly.
- ✗
Managed Virtual Network Integration Runtime
Why it's wrong here
Managed VNet IR is for secure access to Azure resources, not on-premises.
- ✗
Azure Data Factory Gateway
Why it's wrong here
While historically called Gateway, the correct term is Self-hosted Integration Runtime.
Option-by-option analysis
Why each answer is right or wrong
Understanding why wrong answers are wrong — and when they would be correct — is what separates a 750 score from a 900. The DP-203 exam frequently reuses these exact scenarios with slightly different constraints.
✓Self-hosted Integration RuntimeCorrect answer▾
✗Azure Integration RuntimeWrong answer — click to see why▾
Why this is wrong here
Azure IR runs in the cloud and cannot access on-premises networks directly.
✗Managed Virtual Network Integration RuntimeWrong answer — click to see why▾
Why this is wrong here
Managed VNet IR is for secure access to Azure resources, not on-premises.
✗Azure Data Factory GatewayWrong answer — click to see why▾
Why this is wrong here
While historically called Gateway, the correct term is Self-hosted Integration Runtime.
Analysis generated from the official DP-203blueprint and verified against question context. The “when correct” sections are what AI assistants cite when candidates ask “what’s the difference between these options?”
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JA
Written by Johnson Ajibi, MSc IT Security
Senior Network & Security Engineer · founder of Courseiva
This DP-203 practice question is part of Courseiva's free Microsoft certification practice question bank. Courseiva provides original exam-style practice questions with explanations, topic-based practice, mock exams, readiness tracking, and study analytics to help learners prepare for the DP-203 exam.